A small colonial-era city known for its chalk-white facades (its nickname is La Ciudad Blanca, or "the White City"), Popayán is second only to Cartagena as Colombia's most well-preserved historic town. Perched beneath towering mountains in the Valle de Pubenza, it was the capital of southern Colombia for centuries, before Cali overtook it.
Julian Peters Photography / Shutterstock
Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.
We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Lonely Planet Journeys takes you there with fully customizable trips to top destinations – all crafted by our local experts.
Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

in partnership with getyourguide
Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.